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Posted by Janet Sawaya, Public Library Innovation Programme Advisor for Initiatives in Africa, December 23, 2016

After attending the Internet Governance Forum 2016 in Mexico (6 - 9 December 2016), EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (EIFL-PLIP) Advisor for Initiatives for Africa, Janet Sawaya, reflects on shifts in the global debate about internet inclusion, and observes a groundswell of interest in public libraries as essential internet access points.

It was heartening to see so many people at the Dynamic Coalition on Public Access in Libraries (DC-PAL) session at IGF 2016 – all speaking up for public libraries, and sharing valuable testimonies about how public libraries are increasing access to the internet.

At this year’s DC-PAL session - according to IFLA Director, Policy & Advocacy, Stuart Hamilton, “the best yet” - there was vibrant discussion about ‘connecting the next billion’ – that is, helping more than one billion offline people across the globe to connect to the internet by 2020.

What was especially interesting was the diverse range of people present. In addition to librarians, many stakeholders from other sectors with an interest in internet connectivity, for example, the technology sector, attended the DC-PAL session.

Why the shift in focus?

Why has interest in the world’s 230,000 public libraries as essential access points for helping to connect the next billion been steadily growing?

Several international organizations have commissioned and published research into global internet access, including the World Economic Forum, the International Telecommunications Union, and others. These reports have contributed to shifts in the debate about universal connectivity, finding that infrastructure is no longer the main reason why people are not connected.

Research titled ‘Offline and Falling Behind: Barriers to Internet Adoption’, conducted by McKinsey & Company, and tabled at the13-14 April 2016 GlobalConnect Initiative meeting in Washington D.C., found that the major stumbling blocks to people going online are poor internet skills, lack of relevant local content and lack of demand. Behind lack of demand is limited understanding of the value of the internet as an information channel, even where people have access to computers and good connections, the report concluded.

Access and technology skills are key areas where public libraries can make a difference. And the role of public librarians, who are trained information professionals, as information guides for people taking their first steps online and seeking relevant content cannot be underestimated.

Public libraries rising to the challenge

Public libraries in poor and developing countries have been rising to the challenge of connecting the next billion. The work of the EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (EIFL-PLIP) shows how, with minimal additional resources, public libraries can offer services that popularize the internet by demonstrating its value in services targeting specific information and educational needs, for example, the needs of farmers, job-seekers, health workers, schoolchildren, older people and more.

Librarians enrich discussion at IGF 2016

There were also more librarians than ever at the IGF 2016, as presenters, panelists and in the audience.

In addition to giving presentations and testimonies at the DC-PAL about how public libraries are increasing internet access and use, enthusiastic librarians fanned out into sessions of the broader IGF, making important contributions from the floor, and enriching discussion.

Opportunity to build partnerships and cement relationships

There were several concrete next steps that were agreed upon:

The IGF presented an opportunity for organizations to cement relationships and take forward work in increasing public internet access. Currently, a working group (including EIFL, IFLA, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Internet Society (ISOC), Gigabit Libraries Network, People Centred Internet, Microsoft and the US and Tunisian governments) is discussing a pilot project that will expand internet connectivity in Tunisia.

In addition, there was general agreement that a closer partnership with the Dynamic Coalition on Community Connectivity (DC3), focused on community networks, could be very positive for DC-PAL, and that libraries would be excellent focal points for community connectivity projects.

Find out more

The IGF is a multi-stakeholder forum that brings together stakeholders from government, industry and civil society to discuss public policy issues relating to the internet.